Martin Luther King once declared "I have a dream", and I hope that its not demeaning that great man's legacy that I can use that phrase too. In my career as a sport scientist, its been my desire to work with a cycling team.

And here I am, thanks to DCB and Paddy!

Working with athletes to facilitate their progress towards goals is highly rewarding - even more so when you take athletes in what is traditionally an individual sport and ask them to work as a team. It brings different challenges, but is ultimately more rewarding. So far, in my work with this team, its given me the rewards without any of the challenges - can we keep it that way please ladies?!

I've been the member of a successful team myself for the past 4 seasons - with science in sport. I know what the benefits are in riding for a team: that shared energy, extra motivation, that support network, and true friendship. Striving to achieve your own goals but also to be a prt of something somehow bigger. I believe that will help the a3crg squad achieve that little bit extra at crucial times.

I'm proud to be associated with the squad. They've welcomed me with a lot of warmth (I'm sure the nickname Dr Evil is a sign of affection?!) I'm learning that each member has a unique characteristic, their own strengths, a role to play. I'm really excited about what lies ahead this season, and beyond.

Our goal? Well, its quite appropriate that I come here this evening direct from a coaching conference in London. There was a discussion on the difference between 'success' and 'excellence'. For me, success is about 'outcome' - this being the motivation to train and reason to work hard. I much prefer the 'excellence' approach - the driving force being engagement in the process NOT the end result.

 So yes, I'd like a3crg to be a respected, even envied, ladies cycling squad. For other ladies to see our set-up and want to be a part of it. But, foremost, I'd like to help create an environment which encourages exploring PERSONAL bests, and to do this with smiles on faces - that's MY marker of success, my dream as a coach.